An imbalance in the adrenal glands also affects other endocrine functions within the body. The adrenals, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland work symbiotically. When you’re under stress, your hypothalamus sends a signal to your pituitary gland, which then signals your adrenals to produce more cortisol.

Once this signaling process has begun, cortisol and other hormones—such as thyroid hormone—tell your body to direct all normal functions to deal with the stressor, and other functions are put on hold until the stress has passed. This lack of attention on normal bodily processes can affect your digestion, immune response, and thyroid function.

If you have a thyroid condition, your adrenal health should always be tested. Without proper treatment of the adrenal glands, your thyroid may improve but won’t function optimally. A lot of patients who are put on thyroid medication without any adrenal support can initially get worse. They may experience shaking hands, racing heart, and insomnia because their body has been forced to handle the rush of thyroid hormones into their system.

Adrenal disorders can be caused by multiple factors. Dr. Wood and her highly trained staff will create an individual plan that works for you. This is not a generic, one-size-fits-all approach.

We will spend as much time with you as needed to determine what will achieve the best results. This means discussing your full medical history and your current symptoms in detail, as well as identifying internal and external stressors. Comprehensive lab work, explicitly tailored to your situation, will then identify any imbalances in your system, which includes testing with salivary samples over a 24 hour period for a good look at adrenal function.

Once we have all the necessary information, we will come up with your tailored treatment plan. This may include:

*  Addressing hormonal imbalances with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy;

*  Testing your gut health and working out a plan to address any dietary deficiencies;

*  Adding the use of adaptogenic herbs, which support your body’s natural ability to handle stress; and

*  Developing a regular exercise program of stress-reducing activities such as yoga, tai chi or walking in nature.

We will also work with you on techniques to better manage your daily stress, including mindfulness techniques, addressing chronic sleep issues, counseling, and anything else that you would need to achieve optimal wellness.

Adrenal Fatigue is a chronic medical condition, which will take a bit of time to treat adequately. However, with specialized, comprehensive treatment, combined with your commitment, you can free yourself from the constant fatigue and achieve long-term health.